PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 18 and over Performance status: WHO 0-2 OR Karnofsky 60-100% Life expectancy: At least 3 months Hematopoietic: Neutrophil count at least 1,500/mm3 Platelet count at least 100,000/mm3 Hepatic: Bilirubin no greater than upper limit of normal (ULN) Alkaline phosphatase no greater than ULN (unless suspected bone metastases present) AST/ALT less than 2.5 times ULN Albumin at least 2.5 g/dL No chronic active liver disease Renal: Creatinine no greater than 1.8 mg/dL OR Creatinine clearance at least 40 mL/min Cardiovascular: No congestive heart failure No angina pectoris, even if medically controlled No myocardial infarction within the past year No uncontrolled arterial hypertension or arrhythmias Other: No other neoplastic disease within the past 5 years except non-melanoma skin cancer or carcinoma in situ No other serious illness or medical condition No active infection No history of significant neurological or psychiatric disorders No symptomatic peripheral neuropathy grade 2 or greater Not pregnant or nursing Negative pregnancy test Fertile patients must use effective contraception during and for 1 month after study